2024 Caterpillar Season – Paddle Cat – Part 2

Yes! In what is likely one of the last good weekends of the 2024 season, the WGNSS Nature Photography Group headed back to Kaintuck Hollow where we found this final instar Acronicta funeralis (paddle caterpillar/funerary dagger), Noctuidae, feeding on Acer negundo (box elder). I recently shared photos of this species in one of its mid-instars.

Acronicta funeralis (paddle caterpillar/funerary dagger) final instar larvae in the typical “J pose,” often seen when they are resting or disturbed.

We have maybe one or two good weekends left for this season so maybe we’ll find something else. Either way, I’m preparing my list for hopeful species to find next season.

Acronicta funeralis (paddle caterpillar/funerary dagger) final instar larvae

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